2004
12th
April
THE CONDUCT OF THE MAY 10, 2004 NATIONAL ELECTIONS
THE CONDUCT OF THE MAY 10, 2004 NATIONAL ELECTIONS
Reports coming from our bishops show that the May 10, 2004 National Elections were generally peaceful.
The personal responses of the bishops to my questionnaire also show that there were some instances of cheating and violations of election laws by political parties in their areas but these did not affect the voting in general. There were few exceptions, of course.
If there were reports of cheating locally or regionally, the bishops cannot say that there was a national conspiracy to engage in massive cheating
For this reason, we urge our lawmakers to speed up peacefully the national canvassing of votes. We also urge complainants to go to the proper courts. Our people -expect the losers to accept defeat magnanimously, and the winners to welcome victory in humility.
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines:
(SGD) + FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D.
Archbishop of Davao
President, Catholic Bishop’s Conference of the Philippines
01 June 2004
»12th
April
ANTI-NAMFREL STATEMENTS, ETC.
ANTI-NAMFREL STATEMENTS, ETC.
The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines has always been, and still is, wholeheartedly supportive of NAMFREL and its activities. The reason is because the bishops, priests, religious and church lay leaders were, and still are, among its active volunteers and. backers, Some bishops, like myself, have been national co-chairmen of NAMFREL. The present national co-chairman is Bishop Dinualdo Gutierrez of Marbel Diocese who is also concurrent chair of the CBCP Commission on Social Action, Justice and Peace. I am also a member of NAMFREL’s Board of Directors.
If of late there were anti-NAMFREL statements reportedly coming from groups which include bishops in their membership, they were probably misinterpreted or made to appear as coming from the bishops. There seems to be a serious flaw in communication between well-meaning groups helping the electoral process.
Again I exhort and urge everyone to humbly continue praying and making sacrifices for a legally correct, peaceful, thorough, and speedy national canvassing of votes. This last aspect of the electoral process is as sacred as the people’s right of suffrage, and therefore must be respected and protected by the citizens of the Republic. If there were violations of the process of whatever scale or substance, the proper recourse in a democracy is to the law and not to the streets.
May God bless us, guide our leaders, and keep us from all harm.
(SGD) + FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D.
Archbishop of Davao
CBCP President
»24th
May
STATEMENT ON PEACE, UNITY AND RENEWAL
STATEMENT ON PEACE, UNITY AND RENEWAL
CBCP 89TH PLENARY ASSEMBLY
Pius XII Center, Manila, July 10-11, 2004
”For Jesus is our peace, he who…broke down the dividing wall of enmity” (Eph 2:14)
At the conclusion of the grace-filled National Retreat and Congress of the Clergy held at the World Trade Center, Manila on July 5-9, 2004, the bishops of the Philippines committed themselves to the renewal of the clergy and the Church for the renewal of the country.
Gathered for the 89th CBCP Plenary Assembly of July 10-11 at Pius XII Center in Manila the bishops reviewed the conduct of the May 10th elections and their consequences for the future course of the country. Each bishop present was asked to comment on whether or not massive fraud in the conduct of the elections was observed by him and the volunteers in his diocese so as to have affected substantially the results of the elections. With only one or two exceptions, the rest of the bishops answered in the negative. This confirms our statement of June 1, 2004, “that there were some instances of cheating and violations of election law by political parties in their areas but these did not affect the voting in general.” It is the view of the bishops that the results of the elections reflected the will of the Filipino people.
Having declared that, the bishops were still concerned about reports given to us by our volunteers and other groups about rampant buying and selling of votes, violence and killings, the disenfranchisement of voters and other allegations of irregularities that are forms of cheating. We condemn cheating in any form. In this light the CBCP Permanent Council will form an ad hoc committee to study these reports for our internal reference with the objective of looking at the future conduct of our elections and how dioceses may be better prepared to safeguard the integrity of elections. Any charges by political parties or evidence of irregularities during the elections, the bishops believe, go beyond our competence to judge and should be forwarded to the proper courts or electoral tribunals for legal action.
Now is the time to look beyond the elections. Our people must move ahead with faith and hope. Fired up by love of country, we are called to develop a culture of integrity, to participate in national transformation, to build up the conditions for peace, to intensify our fight against corruption, and to monitor the performance of our elected officials. This is a long process, demanding of us perseverance and vigilance. But we can work effectively for societal change only through a continuous conversion of hearts and minds.
To signal our commitment to the common goal of healing our land, the bishops are calling for a Day of Prayer for Peace, National Unity and Renewal on August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption of Mary. May this be the beginning of a culture and lifestyle of peace, unity and renewal! This coincides also with the national launching of the Eucharistic and Marian Year with the theme, “Celebrating the Eucharist with Mary.” The Eucharist is a lasting memorial of Jesus’ love that gives life to others. For us Mary too is an exemplar of a love that gives life. Through the intercession of the Blessed Mother, may we indeed forge ahead for the greater good of our people!
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines,
FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D.
Archbishop of Davao
CBCP President
24th
May
FARMERS AND LIFE
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FARMERS AND LIFE Dear Beloved People of God: Our Lord Jesus Christ has a great compassion for the poor. He became poor so that we might become rich with His graces. This preferential option for the poor is greatly manifested in the New Testament. He asked his disciples to Love one another and reminded them that “Whatever you do to the least of my brethren, you do it to me.” Today, we commemorate the Third Farmers’ Day, a national day of celebration and homage of the Philippine Catholic Church to our Filipino farmers. This day is also the feast of St. Isidore of Labrador, the patron saint of the farmers. The Filipino farmers who are predominantly poor are the most oppressed and marginalized sector in Philippine society. They work hard all day to provide us with food. The present Philippine situation does not reflect their sacrifices for the country’s economy. They still suffer from feudalism, landlessness, unfair trade practices, usury, and unsafe modern agricultural practices. On this occasion, Let us remind all the faithful to fervently promote reconciliation and solidarity through societal healing. Let us uphold justice and peace above everything and concentrate on empowering the poor thru equal distribution of wealth and opportunities in our land. This year’s celebration is even more significant as the United Nations (UN) declared 2004 as the International Year of Rice. The celebration “reflects the importance of rice as primary food source, and is drawn from an understanding that rice-based systems are essential for food security, poverty alleviation and improved livelihoods.” Around the world, more than one billion farmers are involved in rice production. Most of these farmers live in rural areas of developing countries, and almost three fourths of these are small scale farmers. These farmers share God’s productive activity, by receiving their vocation to work and till the land. They are the good soil in the Parable of the Seed who work tirelessly to make the world a true home for humanity. In the Philippines alone, 2.5 million people are directly involved in rice production, and this figure does not include the people involved in post harvest operations like transporting and marketing the products. We call on everyone especially the faithful to be vigilant to the plight of our farmers. We must ensure the use of productive property for the common good, and perform our duty to preserve the environment and responsibly use the natural resources with which the Lord has endowed to us. Let us review policies and laws that are anti-poor and oppressive to our farmers. Let us give life back to them. Let us be compassionate about their current situation, and help them achieve full freedom and sustainability. After all their future is also our own.
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines: FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D. 15 May 2004 |
24th
May
NATION-BUILDING THROUGH ELECTIONS
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NATION-BUILDING THROUGH ELECTIONS Elections are a crucial moment in our continuing task of nation-building. They are a “timely opportunity to transform society by electing wise, capable and upright leaders.” (Oratio imperata) It is a time when we can institutionalize further People Power through the informed and responsible choice of local and national leaders by millions of Filipinos here and abroad. Despite disturbing talk of massive frauds and unconstitutional measures being contemplated by various political groupings, we assert once more that the vigilance and concerted action of ordinary citizens would be the best guarantee of maintaining honest, orderly and peaceful elections. Are we ready to defend our democratic way of life through the constitutional process and the rule of law? It is in this light that we emphasize the importance of safeguarding the election process. We highly endorse citizens’ groups such as PPCRV, NAMFREL, and others to work closely with COMELEC, the military and PNP and public school teachers in maintaining a neutral and non-partisan role in ensuring the electoral process. We also note that the voters’ list in many places has not yet been made available by COMELEC and neither has the supply of indelible ink been assured. Will this problem be solved before election? The electoral process is also a time when we can state that we cannot be neutral against corruption in its various forms, e.g. vote-buying and vote-selling, taxation by the NPA of political candidates and ordinary citizens, misuse of public funds, etc. This fight against corruption is a gospel imperative. Even as we focus on election-day itself, we also remind voters of their right and duty before elections to discern and choose candidates based on certain criteria. At least three basic criteria are to be considered: First, is the candidate a person of competence, i.e. in terms of leadership experience, professional qualifications, and record of governance? Second, is the candidate a person of conscience, i.e. with personal integrity, transparency, accountability, and respect for human rights? And third, is the candidate a person of commitment to a vision and program of action on key issues such as family and life, environment, illegal drugs and gambling, justice, peace and order, poverty alleviation, education, etc.? Beyond elections, there is the greater challenge for all citizens: to continue monitoring winning candidates in order to ensure transparency, accountability and people empowerment for good governance. We have been praying for clean elections; we continue to pray and work for reconciliation and the solidarity that is essential to nation-building. “So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest-time, if we do not give up. So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all.” (Gal 6:9-10).
For the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines: +FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D. April 21, 2004
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24th
May
PASTORAL STATEMENT ON THE COMING 2004 ELECTIONS
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PASTORAL STATEMENT ON THE COMING 2004 ELECTIONS To the People of God in the Philippines, Another crossroads in our nation’s history is confronting us. Even before the campaign season begins, the elections of 2004 have already been poisoned by a climate of confusion, cynicism, and loss of credibility. More than ever, political patronage, pay-offs and personalities dominate our electoral process, not principles, party platforms and genuine people’s participation. In this critical moment, we hear Jesus’ assuring words, “Be not afraid” (Mk 6:50). We therefore confidently face up to the following challenges:
Finally, we invite all of you to join us in prayer during this election period—that God’s grace may enlighten us at this difficult crossroads in our nation’s journey. May the First Friday devotion to the Sacred Heart focused on Conversion, Offering and Renewal, as well as the entire Lenten season, provide us moments of prayer —to take courage, and be guided by the Gospel as we hope for a brighter dawn for our nation. As Jesus sent his disciples, Jesus sends us now, with the same promise, “I am with you always.” (Mt 28: 20).
For the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines +FERNANDO R. CAPALLA, D.D. 26 January 2004 |
